NBC drama is night's best in 18-49 demo

Fast National ratings for Monday, Oct. 16, 2006

CBS continued its overall winning ways Monday night, but a stronger-than-usual "Deal or No Deal" and more solid work from "Heroes" gave NBC a demographic victory.

For the night, CBS averaged an 8.9 rating/14 share to beat NBC's 7.8/12. ABC finished third at 6.2/9 (its numbers include ESPN's "Monday Night Football" broadcast in the Chicago market). FOX, 3.1/5, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.9/3.

NBC scored a narrow win in the key adults 18-49 demographic, drawing a 4.7 rating to CBS' 4.5. ABC, 3.6, took third. FOX averaged 1.5 and The CW 1.3.

"Deal or No Deal" delivered a 10.5/16 for NBC at 8 p.m., up significantly from recent weeks. "Wife Swap," 6.3/10, put ABC in second. "How I Met Your Mother," 6.0/9, and "The Class," 5.6/8, were third for CBS. FOX aired a "House" repeat in place of a rained-out baseball playoff game. "Everybody Hates Chris" and "All of Us" averaged 2.0/3 for The CW.

"Two and a Half Men," 10.4/15, and "Old Christine," 8.7/13, moved CBS into the lead at 9 p.m. NBC dropped back to second with "Heroes," 7.8/11, which was the night's top show among adults 18-49. "The Bachelor" posted a 6.5/9 for ABC. A second "House" on FOX earned a 3.4/5, while The CW held steady with "Girlfriends" and "The Game."

CBS capped the night with "CSI: Miami," 11.3/18, at 10 p.m. "What About Brian" was second for ABC at 5.7/9, topping the 5.3/8 for NBC's "Studio 60."

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.